Multiple switch unit with interdependent switching mechanisms operating at different rates



Feb. 26, 1952 O s, GREESON 2,587,143

MULTIPLE SWITCH UNIT WITH INTERDEPENDENT SWITCHING MECHANISMS OPERATING AT DIFFERENT RATES Filed July 29, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l In ventor Orion 5' Gree son @zwaaih WW t? M518]! Fab. 26 1952 o. s. GREEsoN 2,581,143

MULTIPLE SWITCH UNIT WITH INTERDEPENDENT SWITCHING MECHANISMS OPERATING AT DIFFERENT RATES Filed July 29, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIWWHHHN 1a" 1 1i! I'Wim IHIMI. A

I n ventor 0mm 5. Gmesan Feb. 26, 1952 o. SFGREESON 2,587,143

MULTIPLE SWITCH UNIT WITH INTERDEPENDENT SWITCHING MECHANISMS OPERATING AT DIFFERENT RATES Filed July 29, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 In ventor Orion 5. Greeson Patented Feb. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE SWITCH UNIT WITH INTERDE- PENDENT SWITCHING MECHANISMS OP- ERATING AT DIFFERENT RATES 9 Claims.

. This invention relates to multiple switches comprisinga number of interdependent individual switches Which are controlled and'operated by a single control means acting on one of said switches and it has for its primary-object to provide operating and control means, operative between the individual switches, only one of which is directly operated, which produce an operation of all the indirectly operated switches at. a, rate which differs from that to which the directly operated switch is operated.

A further main object of the invention consists in. providing a multiple switch arrangement, comprising a primary or driving switch, directly operated by electromagnetic, manually operated,

or mechanical control means, and a number of dependent switches, driven by said primary or main switch, all switches bein therefore operated simultaneously, each switch being operated at a rate, or performing a number of switching operations which difier from the rate at which the primary switch is operated or from the number of switching operations performed by said primary switch.

A further object of the invention consists in providing a multiple switch arrangement with a primary directly operated switch unit and a number of dependent simultaneously operated further switch units, adapted to be operated in series, each switch operating another member of the series upon operation of the primary switch, said multiple switch being provided with means for reducing the rate at which operation occurs or the number of switching operations performed by a switch for each switch unit which is indirectly operated by another switch unit of the series, said reduction increasing with the number of switch units which are inserted between it and the directly operated primary switch.

A further object of the invention consists in :providing a multiple switch arrangement witha primary or driving switch and with a series of circuit controlling dependent individual switch units, driven by said primary switch unit, each of said individual switch units being provided with contacts, so arranged in circuits that upon successive operations of the primary or driving switch a number of different circuit connections is made or a number of different circuit combinations is controlled by the multiple switch, the number of such connections or combinations is as large as or larger than the number of switch units contained in the series.

A further object of the invention consists in providing in a. multiple switch of the character above described a non-positive coupling or motion transmitting means between the switch units, operating each switch unit upon operation of a primary or driving switch, but producing a .number of effective switch operations of each switch unit which differs from that of the preceding switch unit in the series.

A further object of the invention consists in a non-positive coupling and motion transmitting mechanism arranged between operative movable switch members of a series of switch units, operated simultaneously upon operation of a primary or driving switch, said mechanism comprising a driving or motion transmitting member, associated with each of the switch units which are adapted to operate other switches and a driven motion transmitting member, associated with each switch unit driven by other switches, the latter mechanism including means for locking the switch in operative position, and the driving mechanism of each switch including means for releasing the locked driven mechanism of each switch including means for releasing the locked driven mechanism during one of tthe phases of its operation.

A further object of the invention consists in providing a non-positive coupling or motion transmitting mechanism between dependent switches of the above described multiple switch unit, adapted to be moved from an initial position to an operative position, which mechanism includes a two pronged drive member associated with those switches which drive other switches, and a two pronged motion transmitting and con- .trolling assembly, associated with all switches which are driven by other switches, the said assembly including locking means for the switches when in operative position and means, selectively cooperating with the two pronged drive members for either transmitting motion imparted to the switch with which the mechanism is associated if the latter is in its initial position, or for releasing the locking device of the assembly when the switch carrying the assembly is locked in its operative position.

A further object of the invention consists in providing a motion transmitting mechanism adapted to transmit motion from one switch of a series forming a multiple switch of the aforementioned description to another switch of a series, which mechanism consists essentially in two cooperating separable mechanisms, one being a drive mechanism attached to and driven by the driving switch and the other being attached to the driven switch, the latter mechanism consisting of means for transmitting motion from a driving switch to a driven switch, of means for locking the driven switch during certain operational phases of the driving switch in its operative position, and of means for releasing the looking mechanism, the motion transmission and releasing means being both operated selectively by the drive mechanism of the driving switch, while the locking mechanism cooperates with a stationary locking member, adapted to engage said locking member when the driven switch reaches its operative position.

Further and more specific objects of the invention will be described in the following detailed specification.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing showing by way of example one embodiment of the switch construction according to the invention and several applications of multiple switch units. It is however to be understood that the invention is shown only by way of example and that the drawing merely intends to illustrate the principle of the invention and the best modes of applying said principle. Modifications of the examples shown in the drawing therefore do not necessarily constitute a departure from the essence of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a multiple switch unit according to the invention, the unit being shown in its initial position.

Figure 2 is an elevational end view of the switch as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevational side view of the switch as shown in Figure 1 part of one of the switch blades being broken away in order to show the mechanism behind the switch blade.

Figure 4 is an elevational sectional view of the switch the section being taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a locking member mounted on the base plate.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are plan views similar to Figure 1 showing the driving mechanism of the switch in different positions.

Figure 9 is an isometric view of the driving head connected with the driving switch.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a multiple switch unit containing plurality of interconnected and interdependent switches and also diagrammatically illustrating the circuit connections in the case of operating circuits for anumber of appliances to be controlled by the switch.

Figure 11 is a diagram of the connections showing the control of a number of circuits by a multiple switch unit in which the number of circuits is much larger than the number of switch units controlling the circuits.

As has been explained above the invention essentially consists in a multiple switch, including a series of switch units, which are all operated simultaneously by the operation of the first or primary switch of the series, but which units are so connected or coupled that they operate at a different rate and thereby open and close their contacts or change from their initial to their operative positions and perform their switching operations at different times, each switch changing from one position to another after a different number of operations of the primary or driving switch. Therefore, while the driving switch performs a certain number of switching operations when operated successively either manually or mechanically or electromagnetically, each of the switches of the series, driven by the primary switch, perform a different and smaller number of switching operations, the arrangement in general being such that the number of switching operations decreases for a switch unit with its serial number within the series. This rule, however, need not be strictly observed.

A switching device according to the invention therefore includes at least two switch units, each having one switch arm or trip arm, the said arms being operated conjointly and simultaneously, but each switch arm or trip arm being active at a different rate, a term which intends to describe the fact that the number of switching cycles performed by each switch arm or trip arm for a given number of operations of the primary switch is different.

A full cycle of operations for each switch arm consists in the change from an initial position into an operative position and back into the initial or original position. Each arm may operate a number of contact groups, each group also having an initial position in which some of the contacts may be closed and some may be open and an operative position in which this initial relationship is changed and reversed and the opposite relationship prevails. It will therefore be clear that switches operating at a different rate or performing their switching cycles at different phases of an initiated operation will be capable of controlling a large number of circuits in an orderly and predetermined fashion and will therefore effectively replace other and more complex means of securing such an orderly sequence of circuit operations.

One of the main features of the invention, as will be clearly understood, relates to the coupling or motion transmitting mechanism between the operative switch members, such as trip arms or the like, which permit the above mentioned difference in the switching rate or in the number of effective switching operations performed for a given number of manual, mechanical or electromagnetic operations of the driving or primary switch.

The manner in which these operative switch arms or trip arms control or operate a switch contact is however arbitrary and may be selected according to circumstances. In the example shown in the drawing contact springs are moved by the trip arms and the elasticity of the springs is also used to exert back pressure capable of returning the trip arm to its original position. However, the connection between the trip arms and the contact carrying members may be of any other approved type and the elastic pressure may be exercised either by separate springs not used for contact productions or by using elastic trip or switch arms.

The example which is shown in Figures 1 to 9 is a multiple switch of the most simple type comprising merely the minimum number of trip arms or switch arms, one of said arms operating its contacts at a rate which is exactly one-half of that at which the other trip arm operates its contact. Two full switching cycles of one of the coupled trip arms therefore produce one full switching cycle of the other trip arm.

In the example shown an electromagnetic operation of the driving or primary switch arm is illustrated, but this is to be considered as an accidental feature as manifestly the electromagnetic operation may be replaced by any other method of operation such as manual operation or mechanical operation.

The multiple switch unit which is illustrated in the drawing comprises a base l2 carrying two uprights or posts l4 and I5 projecting therefrom on which the trip arms l6, l8 are mounted. In the following description it will be assumed that the plate I2 is mounted horizontally, but it is of course to be understood that the base plate has no fixed position and that it may be mounted in any position which may be selected.

The trip arm H, hereinafter termed driving or primary switch arm or trip arm, is operated by an electromagnetic operating device, generally indicated at 26 and both trip arms are coupled or connected by the motion transmitting or latching device which is generally indicated at 2| and which is shown on the left side of the line 4-4 in Figure l.

The trip arms may be hinged to the vertical posts l4 and 15 as indicated at I! or they may consist of elastic arms fastened at one end to said posts; the free ends are movable and are operable by the devices 26 and 2| respectively.

The initial position or position of rest for the trip arm [6 is defined by the device 20 and the rod 46, described below, while the trip arm 16 rests against a block l1 arranged near its free end defining its initial position.

The posts l4, l5 also carry insulating blocks 22 between which the contact springs 24, 26 and 28, 36 respectively, are held. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 9 these springs are arranged in pairs which are normally out of contact, but which are brought into contact by the trip arms [6, I8 when moved into their operative position. This movement may be imparted to the springs 24, and 26 by the insulating blocks or strips 32, 33 inserted between the trip arms and the said springs.

The operating mechanism 26 for the trip arm [6 consists of a relay or electromagnet 34 mounted on the base plate i2 and provided with a pole piece 35 carrying an armature 36. The armature, when attracted by the core 38 upon energization of the relay 34, pushes the rod 46 outwardly and thereby moves the trip arm Hi to an operative position, thus closing the contacts 24, 26.

The main feature of the invention consists in the switching rate changing, coupling or motion transmitting mechanism 2| arranged between the trip arms I6 and i8. As seen in Figures 1,

2, 3 and 4 this mechanism comprises essentially a drive head 42 carried by the trip arm [6, a latch device 44 carried by the trip arm 18 and a counter holding or looking segment 56 fixed on the base plate 12.

The latch device 44 includes a vertical latch plate 46 hinged by means of a pintle 41 to a cradle member 46 which is carried by and fastened to the trip arm 18, which will hereafter be termed the secondary trip arm. This plate 46 carries an arm 5| which is fixedly attached to it and is projecting from the same. Said arm is arranged in a substantially horizontal plane and it supports at its end a guide pin 54. In addition, said latch plate carried two elastic pawls 55, 56 which are preferably made of spring steel or of other highly elastic material and which are riveted or otherwise secui'ed to the outerside of the latch plate 46. Each spring pawl 55, 56 consists of a leaf spring with a bent end, the ends being at an angle to the'remainder of the leaf spring and forming the working end of the pawl. Pawl engages the driving head 42, while 56 engages the locking segment 50, thereby determining the angular position of the latch plate 46 relatively to the secondary trip arm l8.

The latch plate 46 is provided with an eye 53 projecting therefrom to which a coil spring 51 is attached. The other end of the coil spring 51 is attached to a pin 58 projecting from the secondary trip arm [8. The spring 51 therefore draws the hinged latch plate inwardly.

The driving head 42 is shown more fully in Figure 9. It substantially consists of a block which is U-shaped in plan view and which is provided with a yoke. A bore 59 passes through said yoke. Through the bore a bolt 6| passes which is held in a cradle member 62 which is fixedly connected to the driving or primary trip arm l6. At its end the yoke of the block 42 is provided with a guide rod 4!, passing through a slot in a guide post 43. The guide post and guide rod permit only a movement of the drive head 42 which is substantially rectilinear.

The driving head 42, as already mentioned, is U-shaped and therefore has two legs 60 and 64 which are substantially parallel. One of said legs 66 is provided with a step 63 joining the two side walls 66a and 63b. The bent end of pawl 55 may be applied against the step 63 if the latch plate 46 is in a proper position to be described below.

The second leg 64 of the driving head 42 is provided with a slanting end surface 65 ,cut obliquely with respect to the axis of the U-shaped member 42. This leg is of a shorter height than the yoke, but at its end it is provided with a projection l6 of rhomboidal cross section. The rhomboid is formed on one side by the inclined end surface 65 and on the other side by the parallel surface 61, both surfaces being vertical. Between said inclined surfaces a vertical surface 68 is disposed which is a continuation of the inner vertical wall of the leg 64. The rhomboidal proiection l6 and the ad acent and contiguous surfaces of the leg 64 cooperate with the vertical guiding p n 54 on the horizontal arm 5| of the latch plate 46.

The locking segment 56 (Figure 5) is preferably an angular piece with a vertical flange 'll forming a support which is mounted on or carried by the base plate l2. The vertical flange l! carries a horizontal transversely projecting flange 12 which is cut in the manner shown in Figure 5 so as to form a locking tooth 15. The tooth 15 has a stepped surface 13 facing the secondary trip arm and substantially parallel thereto and an inclined surface 16 on the other side slanting at a comparatively acute angle away from the said secondary trip arm and forming an incline. The tooth l5 cooperates with the working end of pawl 56. Obviously the latch plate may be locked in its position when the pawl 56 is engaged behind the step 13 of tooth 15 of the locking segment 56.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that an impulse of very short duration producing only a relatively very small displace ment of the trip arm l6 will operate the switch. Similarly, the push rod 40 may of course be operated in the same way by hand or by mechanical device. The distance through which the push rod travels must only be equal to the distance between the switch contacts 24, 26 which is chosen in accordance with the purpose which the switch is intended to serve and in accordance with accepted principles of operation for such contacts.

When the switch is in its normal or initial position, the position of the various-parts isthat shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. The'two trip arms .l 6, 18 are substantially parallel and are held in their position bythe resilient contact springs 24, 28 their position of rest being defined for the trip, arm l6 by thepush rod 43 and for the trip arm l8 by the block 11.

In this position of-rest the pawl 55 rests on the step 63 of the drive head42 and is somewhat under tension, indicated in Figure l by the bending of the leaf. Pawl 56 rests on or is-held above the incline 15 of the locking segment .50 and this spring pawliswithout tension. The guiding pin 54 on, arm rests on the inner face 68 of the rhomboidal projection 10 near the inner edge of thetprojection. The spring 57 is only very slightly tensioned.

If the relay 34 is now energized or if in any other way the push rod transmits the first impulse the rod 40 is pushed forward toward the trip arm, moving the latter around the hin e. Therefore the contacts; 26 are closed and the drive head 42 is moved toward the secondary trip arm [8. With the pawl resting against the step 63 of the drive head 42 the mo ement of the latter will move the latch plate 46 attached to trip arm [8 and the arm therefore closes its contact 28, 30. During this movement the pawl 56 is riding on the incline I6 of locking member 50. At the end of'the forward stroke the pawl 56 rides over the locking tooth l5 and is caught behind the step 73 of the locking tooth.

The movement of the pawl 56 along the incline imparts to the latch plate 46 a tendency to move angularly and outwardly. This movement is however counteracted by the guide pin 54 pressing against the inner face 68 of projection 10 therefore merely the pawl spring 56 is tensioned. The position of'the parts will therefore be that illustrated in Figure 6.

In this position, which is the position assumed by the switch or trip arm during the first impulse, both trip arms I6, I 8 have closed their contact springs 24, 2'6 and 28, 30 respectively.

When the impulse ceases push rod 40 and trip arm l6 return to their position and the contact springs 24, 26 separate, the drive head 42 moves back along with the trip arm l6 while the second trip arm l8 does not move back as the pawl 56 has been caught behind the step 13 of the locking tooth 15 of locking member 50. Trip arm [8 therefore remains locked in its operative position. However as the drive head 42 moves back the relative position of the latch plate 46, pawl 55 and drive head 42 now changes.

When the drive head is moved back the guide pin 54 during such backwardly directed movement loses contact with the inner wall 68 and moves outwardlyalong the said wall and finally passes the outermost edge. The tensioned'and bent pawl 56'noW-can unbend and the latch plate 46 is now moved angularly and outwardly,- tensioning somewhat spring 51. The guide pin 54 is now in front of the inclined wall 65 of the projection 10 without touching it. Pawl 55 has been lifted into the airand is no longer touching one of the two sections 63a or 6312 of the leg 60. This position of the part corresponds to that which will occur at the end of the backward stroke of trip arm I6 and itis'shown in Figure 7'.

It will benoted that while trip arm 16 is now at rest, secondarytrip arm 18 is in its operative position closing contact 28, and is locked-in this-position indefinitely, until a second opera- 8 tionoccurs, by. pawl 156 held against step, of tooth 15.

If a further impulse isqnow comingin energizing relay 34 and moving armature 36 of the relay, the push rod is again moved forward moving trip arm l6 and closing the contacts 24, 26. This movement of the trip arm [6 also entailsa movement of the driving head 42 towards the latch plate, its pawls and the guiding pin 54; The latter now rides-on the projection 10 upon the movement of the drive head towards it and is moved outwardly by the inclined outer face of the rhomboidal projection 10. A further angular movement of the latch plate 46 is thus produced lifting pawl 56 out of the step 13 behind the looking tooth 15. Likewise the pawl 55 is lifted further and now slides and rests on the upper face 63b of strip 53 of leg 60. The second impulse therefore releases the secondary trip arm l8 which is no longer held by the locking member 50 and which therefore returns into its initial position, separating springs 28 and 30. This phase of the operation is shown 'in Figure 8 which illustrates the moment when. the drive head has reached its foremost position while the secondary trip arm l8 has been released.

When the trip arm 16 now moves back the guide pin 54 rides on the inclined side of the projection 10 and re-assumes the position shown in Figure l. while the pawl 55 rides along the upper face 63a until it comes to and falls into and behind the step '63 where it rests. Pawl 56' is held above the incline 15 or rests on the incline.

The position of the parts is therefore again that which corresponds to the position illustrated in Figure 1.

It will thus be seen that a switch operation produces operational cycles for the two switch arms or trip arms which are progressing at different rates. The number of closing operations for contacts 24 and 26 with any number of given impulses-is therefore exactly twice the number of closing operations performed by contacts 28, 30. Manifestly there are many cases in which such an operation is required or is of great advantage.

The above described construction of the coupling or motion transmission mechanism which is inserted between the two trip arms or switch arms is not dependent on the construction of the trip arms themselves which are shown in Figures 1 to 9' as being capable of rocking, swinging or otherwise moving around an axis. The invention is however applicable to all kinds of switch arms and, more specifically, for instance to switch arms which are plungers reciprocating in a straight line. The construction of the driving mechanism will however be exactly the same in both cases. Manifestly also, as the movement of the parts of the mechanism is relative, the location of the parts on the driving head or on the driven latch plate is more or less interchangeable and their positions'may be reversed.

The example shown com'prises only two trip arms, but any number of such arms maybe arranged. Moreover it is of course possible to connect each switch arm of a series directly with the next switch arm of a series by a driving mechanism, such as described or additional primary arms may be inserted which are operated not directly but by means of secondary arms.

An example of a, series of interconnected.

switches is shown in Figure 10. A primary driving switch 8|] in this case operates asecondary driven switch 82 by means of the mechanism as above described and also drives afurther OISCQ! -ondary driving switch 84 which in its turn actuates a further driven switch 85 hereinafter termed tertiary. The series may be continued in the same way. Obviously, also the secondary switch 82 may be used directly as a driving switch for a tertiary switch.

In the example shown in Figure 10 the trip arms BI, 83, 86, 81 operate a plurality of contact spring groups 90, 82, 93, 96. The springs 90, 93 are not used in the example shown and are merely shown to make it clear that much more complex installations may be controlled than the one shown by way of example, further, by way of example some of the switches are shown as being provided with contact-spring triplets 95, 96, the central spring member of which makes contacts in either position with one of the two outer memhers.

Operative circuits are indicated at I2I, I 25 and I26 which contain electric appliances I00, IOI, I 02 respectively which are operated in succession by the multiple switch. The multiple switch thus manifestly replaces a number of relays which would have to be used in order to control several appliances in a predetermined sequence of successive operations by means of a single control switch operated by successive impulses.

Figure 10 shows only three circuits provided with appliances which are connected with the secondary switch 82; but it will be obvious that a larger number may be operated if the tertiary switch 85 and some of the driving switches would be arranged so that they may control circuits containing appliances.

The seouence of o eration in t e arrangement shown in Figure 10 is the following:

Upon closure of switch 91 the electromagnet 34 is energized over ground G1, circuit I20 and battery I 04 grounded at G2 and a first impulse is therefore given, bringing all the switches into an operating position. Thereby the circuit of appliance I is closed when the spring triplets 95 and 96 of secondary switch 82 and tertiary switch 85 respectively make contact with the outer spring of the triplet. The circuit of appliance I00 is closed from ground G over I2I, I22, I23 and battery I05 to ground G3. When switch 9? is a ain restored to its normal position switch arm 8I falls back to its initial position, while the other switch arms 83, 8G and 81 remain in their operative position. The appliance I00 therefore remains operative after the switch 80 has een rest r d to its ori inal osition. If now switch 9'! is operated a second time. the switch arm BI is again driven forward by the push rod of ma net 34. an operation which releases the two switches 82 and 84 as will be clear from the foregoing description of the operation. Switch 85 however remains in locked or operative position. Thereby the central spring of the triplet 95 is shifted from the outer "to the inner spring of the triplet. The circuit I 2I' of appliance I00 is therefore interrupted while the circuit I25 of appliance IOI is closed so that the latter is operated.

When switch 91 is released the switch arm 8I again falls back without changing the circuit so that now appliance IOI remains operative.

When switch 91 is operated for a third time the switch arm BI is again driven forward operating secondary switch 82 which is now in its operative position while at the same time switch 84 is operated releasing switch 85. The second spring of the triplet 98 of switch 85 therefore falls back, making contact With the inner spring of the Therefore the circuit of appliance IIH this circuit running from ground G over appliance I02, over I26, springs 92 now closed, I21 and the inner spring of the triplet 96 to I23, battery I05 and ground G3. When switch 91 is opened the switch arm 0| falls back and appliance I02 remains operated.

When the switch 91 is now operated to give a fourth impulse switch arm 8| is driven forward releasing the secondary switch 82 so that the contact springs 92 are separated and the circuit of appliance I02 is again out. When switch 9'1 is released the primary switch arm 8I falls back and the switches are now returned to their normal position. a

It will therefore be clear that the switch combination such as illustrated is capable of switching in and out a large number of circuits in a predetermined order. To provide an example for the control of a large number of appliances a diagram of connections is shown in Figure 11 in which seven appliances III], III, H2, H3. H4, H5 and I I6 are controlled by an arrangement which is similar to that shown in Figure 10, but contains a series of three pairs of switches operating in series.

The switches 80, 82, 84, 85, 98, 99 are only indicated diagrammatically. The secondary switch 82-operates three spring triplets I3I, I32, and I33 and the pair I30. The tertiary switch operates the spring triplets I35, I36 and a quaternary switch 99 operates the spring triplet I31.

The cycle of operation is best described by using the following table, the letter O designates the operative stage of the primary switch while a dash designates its non-operative stage. Likewise the letters 00 designate the operative stages of the other switches and a double dash designates that they are in their inoperative position in which the springs are positioned as shown in the diagram. Letter R designates the return.

Impulse No. l I 2 I 3 1 4 5 G 7 8 Primary Switch 80".. 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 0 Secondary Switch 82... 00 00 l. 00 00 Terti' ry Switch 85.. 00 00 l 00 Qu ternary Switch 99. 00 O0 00 00 Appliance operated 111 112 113 114 115 116 R It will be seen from the table that subsequent impulses produce different combinations in the positions of the switches which are used to switch in the appliance in the order shown in the table. Manifestly therefore the switch combination may control a large number of circuits by continued operation of the s ame switch in a predetermined order. Such a switch combination will therefore replace a number of complex interlocked relay arrangements such as are used for example for safety hoists, for communications or for other purposes.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that the invention is applicable in many different ways and that unessential changes may be made without departing from the essence of the invention as described in the annexed claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A multiple switch with a plurality of interconnected switch units comprising a primary drivinggwitch and a secondary driven switch, a movable switch operating member for each of the switches adapted. to be moved from an initial posltion into an operative position, switch contacts operated by said movable members upon a change -of position, means for operating the movable operating member of the primary switch, a driving head carried by the movable member of the primary switch, said driving head being provided with a guiding; lock actuating and coupling means, a stationary locking member, ai'urther locking member connected with the movable member of the secondary switch, so as to bring thelast named movable member into itsopera- -t1V8 position, said movable secondary switch operating member when I brought into operative position being 100K801. by the interengagement or thes tationary loosing member and the cooperating "lOClilIlg member on the movable SGCOI'IGBII'Y switch o erating member, and means controlled by the guiding means or" the oriving head ror releasing-said interlocked members upon a'r'urther o eration or the movable primary switch operating inemoer carrying the driving head.

2. A multiple switch with a plurality of interconnected switch units com rising a primary switch-and a, secondary switch, a movable switch operating member :tor "each or said switches adapted to be moved from an initial into an operative position, switch contacts operated by said movable operating members upon a change or position, means 101' operating said movable operating member of the primary switch, a uriving a head UELIl-letiby the: movable driving operating'member oi the primary switch, provided with a guiding, alockactuating anda coupling means, a stationary locking member, a latchplate on the movablesecondary switch operating member, provided with a loclringpawl and with a driving pawl, the locking pawl cooperating with the stationary locking member, and the driving pawl cooperating with the driving means of the driving head, aiguiding member associated with and carrledby said latch plate, said guiding member being engaged by the coupling means of the driving head in order to release the locking engagement between said stationary looking member and said first named IOCKiIlg pawl, the driving head of the movable primary switch operating member engaged by the above named driving pawltransmitting motion to the latch late and the movable secondary switch operating member when the latter is in its initial position while said driving head driving means engages the guiding member onthe latch plate for unlocking the locking pawl when'the movable secondary switch member is in its operative position.

3. A multiple switch with a plurality of interconnected switch units comprising a primary driving switch and a secondary driven switch, a movable switch operating member for each of saidswitches adapted to be moved from an initial drawing said latch; plate towards 1 the said" movable secondary switch operating member, two

pawls carried by the said latch plate, one-being a locking pawl engaging the stationary locking member, and one being a'driving pawl engaged by the coupling means of the driving head, means on said driving head and latch plate to move said latch plate angularly against the action of the spring, in order to disengage the locking pawl carried by it from the stationary locking member.

4. A multiple-switchwith a plurality of interconnected switch units comprising'a base a primary driving switch and a secondary driven switch mounted on said base, a movable switch said movable'operating member upon a change of position, means ior operating the movable member of the primary-switch,a U-shaped driving head carried by the movable operatmg member of theprimary switchprovided with aguiding, a lock actuating, anda coupling means, a stationary locking member, a latch plate hingedly secured to and-operable to move the movable secondary switch member, two resilient pawls carriedby the latch plate, one of said pawls being a locking pawl adapted to engage the stationary locking member and the-other pawl beinga driving pawl engaged by the coupling on the driving head, an arm fixedly connected with said latch plate, a guide pin on said arm adapted-to engage the coupling means on the driving head, said pin when engagingone portion of the coupling means of the driving headbeing adapted to hold the resilient pawl under pressure, and when engaging another portion of the coupling means being adapted toimpart anangular movement to the latch plate, thereby lifting the lockingpawl out of engagement with the stationary locking memher, so as to return the-movable secondary switch operating member from its operative position into its initial position.

5. A multiple switch with-a plurality of interconnected switch units, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving head is U-shaped and is provided with a driving-leg and-a guiding leg, the former being stepped and the latter having a guiding projection-projecting from the said leg, said guiding .projection being provided with a plurality of guiding surfaces, some of them inclined with respect to the axis of the U-shaped member and to the direction of movementoi the driving head, and other surfaces'being parallel to the said direction of movementof the driving head.

6. A multiple switch witha plurality of interconnected switch units, according to claim 4, wherein the driving head is carried by the movable operating member of the primary-switchand is provided with aguiding projection which substantially parallelto the axis of the driving head, a stationary guide on said base and engaging said guiding projection to keep the guiding head on a substantially rectilinear path insubstantial parallelism withthe axis of symmetry of the U-shaped driving head.

I. A multiple switch with a-plurality of switch units, according to claim 1, wherein thedriving head is U-shaped and is provided with a guiding leg, having a guidingprojection of rhomboidal cross section, some of the surfaces of the rhomboidal, projection being-inclined to the direction of movement of the drivinghead and some of the surfaces of said projection being parallel thereto.

8. A mutliple switch with a plurality of switch units as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary locking member is provided with a locking tooth the front of which forms a step adapted to engage the locking member of the movable secondary switch operating member, the back of the tooth being formed by an incline. inclined towards the direction of movement of the driving head.

9. A multiple switch arrangement comprising a base, a primary switch and a secondary switch mounted thereon, a movable switch operating member for each of said switches, switch contacts operated by said movable members, means for operating the movable member of each of said switches, a. driving head on the movable member of the primary switch, said driving head being provided with guiding means, latch release means and coupling means, a stationary locking member mounted on the base in juxtaposition to said driving head, a coupling and latching driven member connected with the movable member of said secondary switch and adapted to engage the stationary locking members, the driven member connected with the operating member of the secondary switch engageable with the driving head on the primary switch operating member whereby a first operation of the primary ,switch operating member moves said secondary switch operating member to a locked position, said driving head return to its initial position and said latching and coupling driven member being disengaged from said driving head upon termination of said first operation, said driving head being actuatable upon a second operation of the primary switch operating member for movement into engagement with said coupling and latching driven member for efiecting movement thereof from latching engagement with said stationary locking member.

ORION S. GREESON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 355,895 Sternberg et al. Jan. 11, 1887 1,127,573 Zimmer Feb. 9, 1915 1,800,810 Wescott Apr. 14, 1931 2,306,820 MacKay Dec. 29, 1942 2,399,530 York et al. Apr. 30, 1946 

